Bad Creek Blacksmith

Good to see you back, hope your health stays good.

Would a washing machine motor be large enough for this type of hammer?

Happy Thanksgiving to everyone here on IFI and a Happy birthday to my wife. Paul and sons

Grant when you talk about weight is that for better forging or just so the hammer doesn't walk around?

I don't have to much extra on hand do to limit space and living in town. We do have a couple scrap yard I can buy the thing I need pretty cheap. Do to space and cash thats why I was thinking of going this route, 1" - 1 1/2" is about the biggest I'll be forging. I also wanted to talk to a friend of mine to see if this is the best route to go.

I would have my windows drop down from the top and put legs on the corners fasten with hinges so they drop when window was up. That way you have built in or outside tables, you wouldn't be able to beat any thing real hard but to lay things on it would be okay. I like the idea of a porch, if I had the room and cash I would go with a pre-fab log cabin.

Grant, I didn't mean anything bad about you not answering my e-mail. After thinking about it I decided to post that way I would get different ideas. Grant since you built the hammer I just thought you would know the pro's and con's of the hammer. I always value the help and expertise on IFI.

Yes, Plan on building it like the one in the video. Sorry for not being clear on that, wrong wording.

The best barter job I did was replace 2 windows for a .410 shotgun that I gave to my son when he was 9 years old. He told me the other day he will never part with that gun.

I would like to build a little helve hammer similar to the one Grant built, video is under post A"New" wood helve hammer. He uses a straight six engine block. Now before anyone says "why don't you ask Grant" I did and he never replied back. On the arm would that be a solid arm or tubing, his looks to be made out of aluminum. Where can some one get a pulley the size he used? What size motor would be good to use? Every thing else I can figure out myself but I never done a build like this.

Some thing else to remember high to medium carbon steel don't hit it at a black heat....it will cause cracks and can be unsafe. Thats one reason to join a club so you can be shown how to work different metals.

Welcome Dillon, First if you have never forged before you need to start with some thing easier. Start with a J-hook learn how the metal moves when striking it. Learn to draw out to a fine point, a little scroll work, twisting, up setting, and forge welding. Pretty much learn to do things that are mentioned in all those books you have read. See if there is a Blacksmith organization around your area......theres always a lot of experience in those clubs. Good luck and remember we like to see pictures.

That is awesome!! Would like to see it finished good luck at the art exhibit.

Why not use leather? Make every thing else out of metal ex. handles, lock. I believe they still used metal bands to hold the chest together and then used leather for the hinges, I could be wrong. good luck

Mike glad you had a terrific evening with your better half, Happy Anniversary.

I like idea stolen, I have about 300 horse shoes laying around. We also make shoe horns out of horse shoes. Leave the last bit open above the horn so people can tell thats what it is. Heres a picture of what it looks like but I got carried away with the power hammer and closed it up to much. Sorry for the large pictures posted them a different way and couldn't resize them.

They make excellent punches, good hard steel.

Bryce, If you go through northwest Ohio like on St. Rt. 2 or 20, or the Turnpike give me a PM. I got plenty of forging to do you"ll definitely learn some thing. You'll even have a place to stay. Paul

You can also do a search on this site, type in forges and see what pops up. I know others have had the same question and people have posted there set-up.

I know Northwest Ohio Blacksmiths had some, if you want I can check for you.

Dave, I hope you didn't feel insulted about the tap cons, because the mantel is truly a amazing piece of work. I know you can't see them from a standing position but when your sitting they will stick out. I was thinking a Rosette would look good and add a little extra. Its all in the learning process. Seeing the tap cons just reminded me of us working on a $750,000 house and someone used tap cons to put the shutters up, the clients weren't to happy. Nuff said

Dave it is really nice, one thing though what are you going to do to cover the tap cons. You have this beautiful mantel that you handcrafted then you have these ugly blue screws holding it in place. Just a thought.

Junker, Please listen to the advise everyone has given to you. Once your in basic training there is going to be times when your going to think what have I done, hang tough. Your Army family is going to be more important to you than the family at home, maybe not at first but there will be a time where it is. I willpray for you and your family. I spent 12 years in the Air Force and when I was sent to Wyoming from Guam I got home sick and it wasn't from my family in Ohio, I truely wished I was back in Guam. Good luck to you and Thank you for serving our Great Nation.

Good job, keep plugging away don't have to many more nice days. Good luck!!!!!!

Nice edge9001 that pipe there would make a good container to hold oil if you cap the bottom. Good looking machine for all I know, not a machinist.